2021-2022 Main Estimates (ME) Decreases for the CBSA

Date: March 5, 2021
Classification: Unclassified
Branch / Agency: CBSA

Proposed Response:

• The CBSA provides integrated border services that support national security priorities and facilitate the flow of people and goods across the border.
• To support these objectives, the CBSA is seeking $2,049.5M in funding through the 2021-2022 Main Estimates. This represents a $157.8M or 7.1% decrease from the 2020-21 Main Estimates.

Decreases are primarily attributed to:

• A $93.0M reduction in temporary funding related to Modernizing Canada’s Border Operations.
  • The reduction is due to a previous funding decision that was only approved for 2 years (2019-20 and 2020-21). The agency received approval for ongoing funding in an off-cycle funding request and will seek to access this funding through a future Estimates request to Parliament.
• Despite the overall funding reduction for this initiative, the CBSA is requesting $21.0M in 2021-2022 to support the integrity of the delivery of its mandate and strengthen the Agency’s management foundation, inclusive of efforts towards the modernization of border management.
• A planned reduction of $57.1M related the CBSA’s Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Project as the project moves forward and becomes operational.
• The Agency is nonetheless requesting $39.8M for CARM in 2021-2022, and there will be ongoing funding of $31.2M for the Project as of 2022-2023.
• A reduction of $19.6M related to the National Immigration Detention Framework (NIDF). As construction projects are completed, less funding is needed. This is in line with the original funding request.
  • This reduction notwithstanding, the CBSA is requesting $17.6M in 2021-2022 to support the construction of the new Laval, QC, Immigration Holding Centre and the closing of the existing inadequate facility.
• Additionally, funding has decreased as a result of planned adjustments to initiatives related to improving immigration client service, taking actions against guns and gang violence, and border infrastructure.

Background:

The Mains over Mains variance for the 2021-2022 Main Estimates for the CBSA is $157,791,294, or a 7.1% decrease.

Note: all funding sought by the Agency excludes EBP, PSPC and SSC costs.

In addition to the funding decreases detailed in the proposed response, the CBSA also decreased funding for the following initiatives:

Improving Immigration Client Service, and Helping Travellers Visit Canada (Temporary Residents):

The decrease of $14.6M relates to the sunsetting of the funding for Improving Immigration Client Service, and Helping Travellers Visit Canada. No future funds are expected to be passed in 2020-21.

Initiative to Take Action Against Guns and Gang Violence:

The decrease of $13.5M is the result of a reprofile request approved in 2020-2021.

Despite the overall funding decrease, in the 2021-2022 Main Estimates, the CBSA is requesting $16.0M for:

• an investment in dual-view X-ray technology and automated threat detection software/network at all international postal processing facilities to allow the Agency to process mail;
• the construction and maintenance of an all-weather facility detector dog-training facility;
• work being undertaken by the five newly trained firearms detector dog teams at select Ports of Entry;
• a national training product to train in the identification and interdiction of crime guns and weapons for the CBSA and public safety partners; and
• the expansion of the use of hand-held and pallet sized X-ray technology and Contraband (tool) Outfitted Mobile Examination Trucks into the air mode at select major airports.

Border Infrastructure:

The decrease of $8.0M for the Border Infrastructure project is due to the realignment of the project’s timelines. As part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, the Government of Canada is investing in Border Infrastructure upgrades at Lacolle, QC; Lansdowne, ON; Emerson, MB; and North Portal, SK.

These investments will enhance security and accelerate the legitimate flow of people, goods and services resulting in significant and lasting economic gains to Canada.

Entry/Exit Information System Including Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID):

The decrease of $4.9M is due to the project closing in June 2021. As the project is closing out early in the fiscal year, the funding required in 2021-22 closely resembles the ongoing funding requirements to maintain Entry/Exit and RFID components.

The completion of the Entry/Exit project addresses the commitment Canada made to the United States in the Beyond the Border Action Plan to establish and coordinate entry/exit information systems at the common land border, and for Canada to implement a system whereby airlines would be required to submit their passenger manifest information on all flights departing Canada.

Despite the overall funding decrease, in the 2021-2022 Main Estimates, the CBSA is requesting $10.3M to:

• maintain technology requirements that increased the network connectivity at selected Ports of Entry; and
• the capital replacement of the Licence Plate Readers, hand-held devices, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

Adjustments to the Employee Benefit Plan:

The decrease of $16.0M for the CBSA is due to adjustment to the employee benefit plans.  

As of April 1, 2019, the employee benefit plans (EBP) for all new initiatives must be calculated at 27% of salary based on Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) instructions. In finalizing the Annual Reference Level Update (ARLU)/Main Estimates, TBS generates a technical adjustment to bring the final EBP amount in line with the established rate for that year. The 2021-2022 ARLU EBP rate is 14.8%.

Contacts:

Approved by: Kathy Thompson, Vice President, Strategic Policy Branch, 613-941-4937

Date modified:

2021-08-16